Praise God For The Tough Times - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) May 26, 2026

Can we be honest? Most sane people don't look forward to suffering. It hurts and drags our emotions into the gutter. The tough times are often so extreme that many of us struggle to get out of bed. After all, who wants to deal with that reality?

However, I couldn't help but notice that the Bible featured people thanking God for their struggles. King David said in Psalm 119:71 - My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees (NLT). Then Paul taught in James 1:2 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

And the apostles rejoiced "that God counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus" (Acts 5:4). And this was after they'd been flogged! Of course, we know that Paul and Silas even submitted to grave maltreatment in Philippi, where they were unjustly beaten and tossed in jail. They could have claimed their rights as Romans before things went too far, but didn't for the sake of fulfilling God's purpose.

Still, it boggled my mind that people would be grateful for the troubles they faced. That was until the Lord slowly taught me that the very problems His children grumble about had a very good purpose. In a roundabout way, they indicate that we belong to Him. That unfair treatment we faced was because He had marked us as His. It was never meant to break us or cause us to feel down. It should have prompted us to rejoice just as the disciples did after unfair treatment.

The real issue has always been our lack of context, which is why it is so important to ask the Lord for wisdom so we can see things from His perspective. Once I had some insight into what I'd been through and knew that despite the stress, I'd always had my loving God by my side, I was able to give Him praise. I could sincerely thank Him and appreciate all the troubles I'd experienced.

Not only did I realize that I'd never been alone, but I also appreciated that in one way or another, He'd used that period to strengthen and teach me invaluable lessons. Romans 5:3 - We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. He'd increased my faith in those dark seasons when it seemed like nothing good could ever come forth. Instead of the disaster satan wanted for me, the Lord walked me out into the light and His victory. All I could do was worship in gratitude.

I have now become one of those who genuinely thank the Lord for the tough times. I'm still stunned by this, honestly, but I have a better understanding of what was going on back then. I haven't figured everything out, and I don't claim perfection. I will likely keep gaining perspective till He calls me home. And I now know that no matter what, He won't leave me until He has fulfilled every last promise (Genesis 28:15).

God has a plan, and He won't stop helping you until it is accomplished. Only you can get in the way of this, but He will go to every length to bring you into His purpose, the promise, and the resulting rewards. The challenges are just His way of building your spiritual muscles so you stand firm in the face of whatever satan throws your way.

I pray that the devil will discover that its return on investment from bothering you is zero. It shall not profit where you are concerned, IJN, Amen. Having seen His faithfulness, you too will eventually thank the Lord for the troubles because you overcame and are more than a conqueror, IJMN, Amen. Be encouraged as you face down the troubles of this world, knowing everything will work out for your good because you love God and are walking in His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Give your life to Christ with the Altar Call below and learn more about today's topic from the following previous P&P messages:

1. Lose To Win

2. Muscle Memory

3. Get Scrappy

4. Don't Turn From God

5. For My Own Good?

6. Predestined To Win

7. Blindness

8. The Day Of Trouble

9. Can You Give Up Your Rights?

10. Topic: Faith, Trust, Belief in God

11. Topic: Job

12. Topic: Praise

13. Topic: Suffering

14. Topic: Thanks

15. Topic: Wisdom